Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

I always say something about hope you're having a nice day or week because I mean it.  Watching the news can make you sick these days, so much hate.  No matter what religion you do or do not believe in, we can all agree that humans have been on this planet for thousands of years.  It amazes me that in all those years we haven't learned one simple thing, mean is bad, and kind is good.  How can all this time have passed and we still think hurting each other is a good idea?  No matter where you are from, the United States, France, Iran, Russia, or Singapore, I guarantee you we are ALL the same.  We want nothing more than to have a nice life.  We want to learn, maybe fall in love, have shelter and food, raise our children in a safe pleasant environment.  No matter what our governments or countries are doing, we all, at the core, are the same.  It drives me crazy that we still fight and physically hurt each other.  Wouldn't we be so much better if we treated each other with respect and kindness.  I mean, call me silly, but I'd rather laugh than be blown up.  How wonderful would it be if we could embrace each other's differences and want nothing more than kindness.  Oh, you need oil, no problem...you can't grow grain, we've got you covered.  If we could only drop jokes, smiles and love instead of bombs.  I know I'm getting sappy but bad happenings get annoying quickly.  So, for today, instead of hate let's try love, instead of punishing each other, let's make each other laugh.  Let's try being the humans we should have been a long time ago.  To put that smile on your face, maybe you want to start with a book.

I recently read Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano.  This author has written two other books following the same set of characters, Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead.  I have reviewed and loved both previous books.  The series begins when you meet Finlay Donovan, a mother and author, trying to do it all.  Her husband has left her and fired their nanny.  Finlay is late for a lunch meeting with her agent.  While eating and discussing Finlay's new novel, the lady at the next table overhears the plot.  She believes Finlay is a contract killer, a real one.  This woman offers the cash strapped author a bundle to "dispose" of her husband.  The story is off and running.  Finlay and her sidekick nanny, Vero, get pulled into adventure after adventure in the unsavory world of killing people for cash.  The only thing is they don't know what they are doing.  The improvising author and mom along with the super sarcastic nanny, get themselves into all kinds of hilarious situations.  In the latest, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Finlay and Vero get stuck going to a mock police academy, living in a dorm and taking classes in police procedure, all while trying to track down a villain.  As with all the books, you will find yourself laughing out loud and smiling through the whole read.  What else could you ever want?  One more book in the series yet to come, I will be terribly sad when it's over as the world could use more Finlay Donovan and Vero comedy.

By the way, when I think of kindness my mind always goes to Canada on September 11th.  When the US was being attacked and all flights were stopped, Canada let planes land and people took Americans into their homes.  It was so beautiful during something so horrible.  I'll never forget it. The people of Canada set a wonderful example of how we should all be every day.

The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda

Hello everyone. I hope you're having a great day.

I recently told you about an experience my husband's "parts" had with a dresser while on a family trip to the Outer Banks (see review for The Villa). (Laughing at myself, aren't you glad you read this...about hubby's "parts".  I dare you to find THAT in another book blog!) That trip was with my whole family, spouses, kids, the works, we even took our dog.  Our adventure was in May and there was a storm heading out to sea.  We got there first and the cottage, on stilts, was literally swaying in the wind.  Not to be indelicate (what the heck I've already mentioned privates...repeatedly) but the water in the toilet was sloshing from side to side.  Okay, perhaps sloshing is a bit dramatic but there was definitely wave action!  The weather, as usual, was undependable, cold one minute and roasting the next.  Now there are stores and restaurants galore, but at that time, it was still the wild west of the east coast.  No gun slingers but there was also no miniature golf, and you could kiss any hopes of an ice cream cone goodbye.  It's a wonder we survived such untamed conditions.  Now Kill Devil Hills has a Target.  The wild west now has a shopping buggy and dollar section.

I recently read The Only Survivors by Megan Miranda.  My reading relationship with this author has run hot and cold.  While her books are sold as thrillers, they really are more like a mystery with some intrigue.  This is the story of a group with friends who experienced a tragedy together.  They have decided not to discuss the details, their secrets, so have kept them within the group.  Each year on the anniversary of this terrible accident, the group spends their time together in a cottage on the Outer Banks.  The story is told in one voice, that of the survivor Cassidy.  She has broken ties with the group.  It has been many years and Cassidy would rather focus on her life now and put the past behind her.  Despite changing all phone numbers, email addresses, etc., she receives a text from someone in the group.  She is directed to the obituary of one of the other members, Ian.  Cassidy cared for Ian and is shocked to learn of his death.  Propelled by the loss of her friend, she reluctantly decides to attend this year's anniversary gathering.  Once she arrives odd things start happening, making her question not only the text she received but all her fellow survivors.  As things progress tensions are magnified as a terrible storm rolls in, isolating the friends further.  We slowly learn not only what happened in the past, but about the present events.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.  It was an easy, pleasant read, that was well researched and full of atmosphere.  For me, the middle dragged a bit, but I prefer a rocket paced, page flipping thriller.  Again, this felt more like a mystery.  Around page 300 I really thought the author had betrayed her readers, taking the story in a terrible place.  Reading further, I discovered this was NOT the case, the twist introduced was one I hadn't even considered, which I love.  The end was kind of blah for me.  I wish it had been much more dramatic, again, I love heart pounding thrillers. Megan Miranda is a world class author and I'm a housewife who isn't going to the grocery store this week and is already out of bread.  Check this book out for yourself, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Nags Head was so rural when we were there, I saw Black Beard sword fighting the Wright brothers on the beach.  There may have been some alcohol involved.

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Hubby and I are house people. We bought our first home, a townhouse, a month before we got married. Then we bought our haunted Victorian that had been divided into apartments, which we restored to single family. Next, we built a house, having fun getting the lot then picking the floor plan and finishes. We decided to do one more restoration, so we bought our current masterpiece, which is a classic craftsman. I think our next one will be a one story, it's the only thing we haven't done yet.  Anyway, I am frequently looking at real estate listings.  A couple of years ago, I saw the neatest house, well, estate in the mountains of New York.  This mansion had been empty for a long time and was in poor condition.  My husband was unimpressed with the dirty, but elaborate, woodwork, the large stable and garage both with living areas on top.  To be fair the old black slimy pool was terrifying and straight out of the movie Poltergeist.  I almost had him convinced that it would be a fun project until he saw the pictures with floating sheer white mists.  I argued it was the photographer's breath, but he refused to believe it.  He branded the house rambling with ghosts, surely hiding the worst of the Scooby Doo villains, and refused to look at it further.  To be honest, it was out of our price range, but a girl can dream. 

I recently read The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz.  This is the author's debut novel.  This is the story of several women who go on a writing retreat.  Told from the perspective of Alex, a writer who has just about given up on her dream of becoming a published author.  The retreat is sponsored by Roza Vallo, a world-famous author.  Roza has restored a huge spooky, Manderley (Rebecca) type house.  Several young women are invited but only one will be given a million-dollar publishing deal.  They must write their novel, from start to finish, during this month-long retreat.  As the young story tellers try to keep up with the pace set by Roza, tempers flare.  The stress builds and the history of the old mansion and its connection to a demon becomes front and center.  The generous host becomes even odder, making the girls play bizarre games.  Happenings start to reach a frenzied pitch and one of the girls goes missing, making everyone wonder what is really going on at the retreat.

I enjoyed this entire story idea.  The plot moved along at a nice pace, keeping me interested.  The characters were well defined but not too much, they are all possible suspects for the odd occurrences.  The writing was interesting.  Words and sentence structure was more sophisticated than is often seen in thrillers.  I loved the atmospheric setting, which became enhanced as it becomes even more isolated.  The only thing that bothered me a bit, was that the story seemed to slow slightly at the end.  Usually, the end on a high note but this story seemed to peak a bit early using more of the end to get out of predicaments and a wrap up.  Honestly, although the slow down bothered me a smidge, I cannot think of any other way it could be written.  Really, a fun read.  I can't wait to see what the future holds for this talented author.

One thing is for sure, I won't be buying any house previously owned by an author!

**I uploaded this review just a few minutes ago.  Wondering what became of that house I liked, but hubby thought was Casper's dream, I googled it.  It's being investigated by multiple paranormal teams.... darn it.  I will never hear the end of how he was right!

The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Have you met your significant other yet?  I met my husband in college.  He sat in front of me in class and would turn around and stare at me.  It was so obvious I thought certainly he must be interested in the girl sitting next to me, nobody in their right mind would be so conspicuous.  Nope, that was my husband's game plan, pester me until I agreed to go out with him.  In fact, we still note April 1st as the first time he actually spoke to me, saying "What's it like to have a month named after you?" He still says the same thing the first of every April.  We've been together now for decades.  I'm not sure if there is one soulmate for each person but I do know I am the only person on the face of this planet that will put up with his shenanigans.

I recently read The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth.  I've read several of Hepworth's other books including The Good Sister, The Mother-In-Law, and The Younger Wife.  I enjoyed them all. The Soulmate is about a couple, Pippa and Gabe who own a house by the ocean.  It's not quite a "grab your flipper feet and beach ball" kind of beach house.  This property has a cliff, high above the ocean below.  In fact, that specific location on the cliff is well known as the spot where people come to commit suicide.  Despite the house being occupied by a family with young children, the jumpers continue to come to carry out their wishes.  Thankfully, Gabe has become a great listener and has been able to talk people out of jumping, he really has a knack for it.  One day Pippa sees someone by the edge of the cliff and Gabe races out there to urge the young woman to retreat from the edge.  Pippa stays inside the house to keep her young daughters occupied so they will be unaware of what is transpiring outside.  But, as Pippa catches a glance, she sees the young woman plunge over the edge and what is perhaps most disturbing is that it looks like her husband's hands were in the position not to save her but to push her. As the death is investigated relationships begin to unravel and long kept secrets come to light.

This book is typical from Sally Hepworth, she tells you a simple story in a straight-forward way.  You are certain you know what is going on, everything is plainly right there in front of you and yet she offers twists that should have been considered but weren't.  She is an expert at the "gotcha".  This story was interesting, fun, and a pleasant, easy read. This one will have you giving both the ones you love and your enemies a second look.

By the way, yes, it is nice having a month named after me.

The Angel Maker by Alex North

Hello everyone.  I hope your week has been a nice one.

Every time I think about Alex North, I think about the things publishers sometimes send along with their books.  There have been pens, bookmarks, bumper stickers, swizzle sticks, anonymous notes in the mail from the thriller's killer, candy and more.  One of the most unique things came with an early copy of The Whisper Man by Alex North.  When you opened the package, it started singing.  Not just singing, no this wasn't any joyous Santa Claus is Coming to Town or Happy Birthday...both songs have me wishful that someone is giving me a new car or dazzling emerald jewelry, of which I have received neither.  I opened the book packaging and it started to sing the creepiest song.  One I still remember and can sing word for word, years later.  The spooky little jingle can be heard on my review of the book on September 16,2019.  Ever since getting that chatty Cathy package, I'm always on the lookout for this author's next book.

I recently read The Angel Maker by Alex North.  I've read The Whisper Man and The Shadows by the same author and enjoyed both.  This time we are following several different people.  Katie Shaw is an adult woman with a husband and young daughter, plenty of responsibilities.  She is contacted by her mother when her brother, Chris, goes missing.  Chris had been the victim of terrible violence when they were teens and Katie still, privately, holds herself responsible.  Then we follow Laurence, a police detective.  He is investigating a bizarre and brutal murder of a wealthy man who seemed to know he was going to die.  You know a wild ride is coming your way when you learn that Laurence had investigated what happened years ago to poor Chris and realized both attacks may somehow be connected.

Although I have enjoyed all North's books, this is by far my favorite.  This might well be my favorite thriller of the year, although I probably say that often.  This story is complicated, like you need a string and pins to map it out on your dining room wall and despite living in North Carolina, I'd end up with my string traveling to New Jersey.  Honestly, it's not that complicated, not too many characters and not overly involved.  This story is intricate enough to keep you anxiously reading and amazed at how the author has connected everything to make a composite story.  So many times, thrillers are heart pounding or plot thick, this book accomplished both seamlessly.  I loved every second and cannot wait for Alex North's next book.

The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a wonderful day.

When I was a child, there was a group of neighborhood kids that would all play together.  Since, generally, seven-year-olds can't drive they must play with those that live close by.  One time I was going over to Laura's house, who lived diagonally across the street.  I was very excited as Laura had received a Ouija board. I made the enormous mistake of mentioning the afternoons plans to my mother.  She became very alarmed.  Mom launched into a big talk about why you shouldn't play with Ouija boards, that you never know what will come through and it is best not to even be around them.  I spent the afternoon playing a rousing game of Yahtzee with my mom while my friends all explored the supernatural.  Looking back on it, I don't know if my mom's reaction was because of religion (she wasn't super religious) or did she have some experience of her own.  I wish I had thought to ask her, but when you have to concentrate on getting five dice to match it is hard to entertain ghost chat.

I recently read The London Seance Society by Sarah Penner.  This is the author of The Lost Apothecary, which I liked very much and reviewed here.  This book, like her previous takes a nod from history.  The setting, for the most part, is 1873 Victorian London.  It is about a men's club that supports delving into the supernatural through seances.  Told from two points of view, one belongs to Mr. Morley who works for the Society.  The other side is told from Lenna Wickes, who is studying under renowned medium Vaudeline D'Alaire who specializes in discovering the identity of murders.

Despite having left England because of being in danger, Vaudeline is asked to return as there has been a murder at the Seance Society.  Her talents are needed to get to the bottom of things.  Regardless of the possibility of harm, Mr. Morley convinces Vaudeline and Lenna to return to London to help him solve this disturbing crime.

This suspenseful story is dripping with atmosphere.  Did you ever see the Harry Potter movie where Harry dips his head in the pensieve and he is completely transported and enrobed in a different world? That is how complete the atmosphere is in this book.  Even with the complete immersion, there are not endless pages of description, yet the feel, the sounds, the smells, are complete.  The story moves quickly and carefully letting the mystery unfold, as we get to know and care about the characters involved.  While the tension builds so do the twists.  This book educates the reader about the occult during the late 1800's in the most interesting manner.  

If you like strong female characters, you will appreciate both Penner's books.  This story checks so many boxes and is definitely worth a read.  Very enjoyable, despite the haunting case of book hangover it gave me!

The Drift by C.J. Tudor

Hello everyone.  I hope your week is going well.

Do you get snow where you live?  We rarely get any of the white stuff. Sadly, we make up for it with hurricanes.  Frankly, I'd rather have the snow.  Growing up in upstate New York, we had loads of snow.  I swear we had lots more than they do now.  A year or two ago they received 41 inches of snow in one storm, can you even imagine?  What I am talking about is consistent, winter season long snow. That is what we had, picture me chuckling at southerners complaining about the occasional Snowmageddon.  We lived that for at least a solid four months, I'm quite sure at times winter lasted for six months.  Ask my husband, we visited my parents one time in June, it was so cold they had a fire in the fireplace...IN JUNE!  Then there was the time we went up in May, packed nothing warm. In fact, I brought no socks, just backless sneakers and pedal pushers.  On that trip, surely the temperature dipped below zero. Of course, as a kid I was just the image of beauty and grace on the slippery snow-covered tundra.  Think Elsa, from Disney.  I'm certain I wore the gown too and sang about building a snowman.  Our neighbors, who tried to get me to walk with snowshoes on, might disagree just a tiny bit.  Not that I took a header into a huge snowbank, but I'll just say, you can get in ice cream headache without eating anything, especially when your entire face is submerged.  Who thought it was helpful to walk on soft show with tennis rackets strapped to your feet, all those holes in between those strings (rolling my eyes for emphasis)?

I recently read The Drift by C.J. Tudor.  I read, reviewed and loved her book, The Burning Girls.  I was very much looking forward to Tudor's newest offering.  As the title indicates, this entire book takes place in the snow.  The world is on the verge of something catastrophic happening.  A huge snowstorm leaves people stranded.  The reader follows three groups.  One group is on a trip from a boarding school and their bus has crashed.  They are in the wilderness, the storm is raging, the temperature dropping, people are hurt, and wild animals await their exit from the damaged bus.  Next, we follow a group on a cable car, high above the snowy mountains, headed to someplace called "The Retreat".  As the storm moves in the cable car stops, leaving them stranded in the cold.  They can't jump down or go up, and the dangling car becomes frigid.  Then finally we follow The Retreat employees themselves.  Something odd has happened, as the storm starts their power goes out.  What is usually reliable has suddenly left them in a very dangerous situation.

This book was interesting.  I don't think I'd call it fun.  This book made me cold and uneasy.  It wasn't pleasant, although lots of thrillers aren't but this one felt dark, and I didn't want to read it.  Don't get me wrong, it had a great plot and twists that fooled me, but I came away feeling blah.  Usually, I'm racing to my husband begging him to read whatever story I've just finished so we can talk about it.  In the case of The Drift, I was just glad it was over.  As always, although it wasn't for me, you may love this one.  It is highly rated on Amazon and is Editors pick for Best Thriller.

Oh no, maybe I've living in the south for so long I've developed an aversion to snow.  But where would I wear my Elsa dress?